Gaming Machine Accepting Side Bet And Gaming Method

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine of the present invention offers a special payout or executes a bonus game, in a case where a side BET has been placed in a card game using a player&#39;s card and a dealer&#39;s card, when a specific card pair is established by the player&#39;s card and the dealer&#39;s card.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/038,993 filed on Mar. 24, 2008. The contentsof this application are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine accepting a side BETand a gaming method.

2. Discussion of the Background

Conventionally, there have been gaming machines capable of accepting aside BET different from a normal BET. For example, in Blackjack, when anup card out of dealer's two cards is an “A” card, a player can place aside BET in addition to a normal BET. In the case of placing the sideBET, the player adds the bet by half of an initial bet. When thedealer's hand is “Natural 21”, a payout in an amount twice as large asthe amount of the side BET is paid buck. Further, for example, inCaribbean Stud Poker, a side BET is cumulatively accumulated as aprogressive jackpot. When a player places a side BET in addition to anante (normal BET), he or she can acquire part or the whole of theprogressive jackpot, in accordance with the established hand. A gamecapable of accepting a side BET of this kind is disclosed in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525, and U.S. Pat.No. 6,874,786.

Further, as disclosed in US 2006/0287043-A1 and US 2006/0009283-A1,there exist gaming systems where a plurality of gaming machines (playerterminals) are linked so that a plurality of players can play a commongame.

However, the conventional gaming machine that accepts a side BET has notbeen capable of realizing both additions of high gaming properties to agame which becomes executable by placing a side BET (hereinafter alsoreferred to as side game) and an increase of a possibility of conductinga payout in a large amount such as a progressive jackpot in the sidegame. For example, there has been a problem that it is not possible tohave a player place a side BET willingly in the case that, even when aside BET is placed, an amount of payout to be conducted in the side gameis small (e.g. a few times as much as an amount of a side BET) or theside game itself lacks interesting factors.

The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problem, and hasan object to provide a gaming machine capable of making a player place aside BET willingly, and a gaming method.

The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525, U.S.Pat. No. 6,874,786, US 2006/0287043-A1, and US 2006/0009283-A1 areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine havingthe following configuration.

Namely, the above-mentioned gaming machine comprises a display capableof displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller.The controller is programmed so as to execute the processing of (a)accepting a normal BET from the input device, (b) accepting a side BETdifferent from the normal BET, from the input device, (c) displaying aplayer's card and a dealer's card to the display, (d) executing a normalgame for determining winning or losing based on the player's card andthe dealer's card, (e) offering a normal payout based on the normal BETwhen determining that a player has won in the normal game, (f)determining whether or not a specific card pair is established by theplayer's card and the dealer's card, when the side BET has been placed,and (g) offering a special payout or executing a bonus game advantageousfor the player as compared with the normal game, when determining in theprocessing (f) that the specific card pair is established.

According to the above gaming machine, in a case where a side BET hasbeen placed in a card game using a player's card and a dealer's card,when a specific card pair is established by the player's card and thedealer's card, a special payout is offered or a bonus game is executed.

Since a side game (game for establishing the specific card pair) isplayed using the player's card and the dealer's card which were dealt ina normal game, a player interested in the normal game tends not to havea sense of resistance toward placing the side BET. Further, since a newgaming property of establishing the specific card pair is added, aninteresting aspect of the game itself can be further enhanced.

Moreover, when the special payout is to be offered in the case ofestablishment of the specific card pair in the side game, there is apossibility that the player acquires a payout in a large amount. On theother hand, when an advantageous bonus game is to be executed in thecase of establishment of the specific card pair in the side game, it ispossible to increase a sense of anticipation of the player by providinga gaming state advantageous for the player, in addition to addinganother gaming property.

Consequently, it is possible to make the player have a high motivationto place the side BET.

Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned gaming machine has thefollowing configuration.

Namely, the controller is further programmed so as to execute processingof (h) determining the specific card pair, and the processing (f) isprocessing of determining whether or not the specific card pairdetermined in the processing (h) is established by the player's card andthe dealer's card when the side BET has been placed.

According to the above gaming machine, since the specific card pair isnot a fixed card pair previously determined, but a card pair determinedin each game, it is possible to increase a sense of anticipation of theplayer for the special payout or the bonus game, in addition toenhancing the gaming properties of the side game.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machinehaving the following configuration.

Namely, the gaming machine comprises a display capable of displaying aplurality of cards; an input device; a memory for storing effect patterndata to be used in an effect; and a controller. The controller isprogrammed so as to execute the processing of (a) accepting a normal BETfrom the input device, (b) accepting a side BET different from thenormal BET, from the input device, (c) displaying a player's card and adealer's card to the display, (d) executing a normal game fordetermining winning or losing based on the player's card and thedealer's card, (e) offering a normal payout based on the normal BET whendetermining that a player has won in the normal game, (f) changing adisplay mode of the player's card and the dealer's card on the displaybased on the effect pattern data stored in the memory, when the side BEThas been placed, and (g) offering a special payout or executing a bonusgame advantageous for the player as compared with the normal game, whenthe player's card and the dealer's card are displayed in a specific modeas a result of executing the processing (f).

According to the above gaming machine, in a case where the side BET hasbeen placed in the card game using the player's card and the dealer'scard, when a display mode of the player's card and the dealer's cardchanges and the player's card and the dealer's card are displayed in aspecific mode (e.g. a state where the colors of the cards have turnedgold), the special payout is offered or the bonus game is executed.

Since a side game (game in which the display mode of the player's cardand the dealer's card is changed) is played using the player's card andthe dealer's card which were dealt in a normal game, a player interestedin the normal game tends not to have a sense of resistance towardplacing the side BET. Further, since a new gaming property of changingthe display mode of the player's card and the dealer's card is added, aninteresting aspect of the game itself can be further enhanced.

Moreover, when the special payout is to be offered in the case that theplayer's card and the dealer's card are displayed in the specific modein the side game, there is a possibility that the player acquires apayout in a large amount. On the other hand, when an advantageous bonusgame is to be executed in the case that the player's card and thedealer's card are displayed in the specific mode in the side game, it ispossible to increase a sense of anticipation of the player by providinga gaming state advantageous for the player, in addition to addinganother gaming property.

Consequently, it is possible to make the player have a high motivationto place the side BET.

Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned gaming machine has thefollowing configuration.

Namely, the processing (g) is processing of offering a special payout orexecuting a bonus game advantageous for the player as compared with thenormal game, when a specific image is displayed on the player's card andthe dealer's card or when a color of the player's card and the dealer'scard turn a specific color, as a result of executing the processing (f).

According to the above gaming machine, since the special payout or thebonus game is offered when specific images (e.g. images indicatingoffering of the special payout) are displayed on the player's card andthe dealer's card or when the colors of the player's card and thedealer's card turn a specific color (e.g. gold), the player can easilyrecognize visually that the special payout or the bonus game will beoffered.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a playing method of acard game, the playing method having the following configuration.

Namely, the playing method of a card game comprises steps of: (a)placing a normal BET; (b) placing a side BET different from the normalBET; (c) dealing a card to a player as a player's card, while dealing acard to a dealer as a dealer's card; (d) executing a normal game fordetermining winning or losing based on the player's card and thedealer's card; (e) offering a normal payout based on the normal BET whendetermining that a player has won in the normal game; (f) determiningwhether or not a specific card pair is established by the player's cardand the dealer's card, when the side BET has been placed; and (g)offering a special payout or executing a bonus game advantageous for theplayer as compared with the normal game, when determining in the step(f) that the specific card pair is established.

According to the above playing method of the card game, in a case wherea side BET has been placed in a card game using a player's card and adealer's card, when a specific card pair is established by the player'scard and the dealer's card, a special payout is offered or a bonus gameis executed.

Since a side game (game for establishing the specific card pair) isplayed using the player's card and the dealer's card which were dealt ina normal game, a player interested in the normal game tends not to havea sense of resistance toward placing the side BET. Further, since a newgaming property of establishing the specific card pair is added, aninteresting aspect of the game itself can be further enhanced.

Moreover, when the special payout is to be offered in the case ofestablishment of the specific card pair in the side game, there is apossibility that the player acquires a payout in a large amount. On theother hand, when an advantageous bonus game is to be executed in thecase of establishment of the specific card pair in the side game, it ispossible to increase a sense of anticipation of the player by providinga gaming state advantageous for the player, in addition to addinganother gaming property.

Consequently, it is possible to make the player have a high motivationto place the side BET.

Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned playing method of acard game has the following configuration.

Namely, the playing method further includes a step of (h) determiningthe specific card pair, and the step (f) is a step of determiningwhether or not the specific card pair determined in the step (h) isestablished by the player's card and the dealer's card, when the sideBET has been placed.

According to the above playing method of the card game, since thespecific card pair is not a fixed card pair previously determined, but acard pair determined in each game, it is possible to increase a sense ofanticipation of the player for the special payout or the bonus game, inaddition to enhancing the gaming properties of the side game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a flowchart showing card game processing executed in a maincontrol portion provided in a gaming machine according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the card game processing executed in themain control portion provided in the gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearanceconfiguration of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearanceconfiguration of a station in the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of images displayed to a frontdisplay provided in the gaming machine in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of images displayed to a liquidcrystal display provided in the station in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquidcrystal display provided in the station in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquidcrystal display provided in the station in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of thegaming machine.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of thestation in the gaming machine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main processing performed in a maincontrol portion and the station.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of activation processing.

FIG. 12A is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a card game processingexecuted in the station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a card game processingexecuted in the station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of images displayed to a frontdisplay provided in the gaming machine in a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquidcrystal display provided in the station in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquidcrystal display provided in the station in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquidcrystal display provided in the station in the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the liquidcrystal display provided in the station in the second embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a flowchart showing card game processing executed in themain control portion in the gaming machine according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 18B is a flowchart showing card game processing executed in themain control portion in the gaming machine according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 19A is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a card game processingexecuted in the station according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19B is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a card game processingexecuted in the station according to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention is described based on thedrawings.

In the following embodiment, the case of playing Pai Gow Poker isdescribed. First, the rule of Pai Gow Poker is described.

In Pai Gow Poker, a deck (53 cards) of playing cards including one Jokeris used, and a single or a plurality of players play against a dealer.

First, seven cards each are dealt to the dealer and the player. Thedealer and the player divide their seven cards into a set of five cardsand a set of two cards. At this time, the five-card hand (high hand)must rank as high as or higher than the two-card hand (low hand). Next,the dealer's five-card hand and the player's five-card hand are comparedto determine which ranks higher. In the same manner, the dealer'stwo-card hand and the player's two-card hand are compared to determinewhich ranks higher. When both the dealer's five-card hand and two-cardhand rank higher, the dealer wins. When both the player's five-card handand two-card hand rank higher, the player wins. When, out of thefive-card hand and the two-card hand, one of the player's hands rankshigher than the dealer's corresponding hand and the other of thedealer's hands ranks higher than the player's corresponding hand, thegame ends in a tie. Further, when both the player's five-card hand andtwo-card hand rank as high as the dealer's respective correspondinghands, the dealer wins. It is to be noted that, as the five-card hand,there are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House,Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and No Pair, inorder of strength. As the two-card hand, there are One Pair and No Pairin order of strength.

In the following embodiment, Pai Gow Poker accepting a normal BET and aside BET is executed. Here, the normal BET is a BET placed on winning orlosing in Pai Gow Poker, and the side BET is a BET placed for receivingan offer of a special payout when the player's card and the dealer'scard satisfy a specific condition (BET on a side game).

First Embodiment

In a first embodiment, the side game is played after Pai Gow Poker isplayed as a normal game and the special payout is offered to the playerwhen a specific card pair (hereinafter also referred to as a payout cardpair) is established by a dealer's card and a player's card of a playerwho has placed the side BET. The payout card pair is determined in eachgame.

First, processing executed by a main control portion 40 (see FIG. 8)provided in a gaming machine 1 (see FIG. 2) according to the firstembodiment is described.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are flowcharts each showing card game processingexecuted in the main control portion provided in the gaming machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S101 in FIG. 1A, a CPU 41 (see FIG. 8) provided in themain control portion 40 receives BET information from a station 3 (seeFIG. 2). The BET information is information on a BET and includesinformation showing whether or not the normal BET and the side BET havebeen placed, and information showing amounts of a normal BET and a sideBET.

Next, in step S102, the CPU 41 determines seven cards each to be dealtto the player and the dealer, out of a deck of playing cards, by meansof random numbers. The seven cards determined to be dealt to the playerin step S102 correspond to the player's cards of the present invention,and the seven cards determined to be dealt to the dealer in step S102correspond to the dealer's cards of the present invention.

Further, card images showing the seven dealer's cards are displayed facedown to a front display 21 (see FIG. 2) provided in the gaming machine1.

Next, in step S103, the CPU 41 transmits to-be-dealt cards informationto the station 3. The to-be-dealt cards information includes informationshowing types (ranks and suits: Hearts, Clubs, Spades, Diamonds) of thecards determined to be dealt to the player and the dealer. In thestation 3, the card images showing the seven player's cards aredisplayed to a liquid crystal display 10 (see FIG. 3) based on thereceived to-be-dealt cards information, and an input for dividing thecards into a five-card hand (high hand) and a two-card hand (low hand)is accepted.

Next, in step S104, the CPU 41 receives selection information from thestation 3. The selection information is information showing which cardhas been selected to be in the high hand and which card has beenselected to be in the low hand.

Next, in step S105, the CPU 41 executes processing of dividing the cardsdealt to the dealer into the high hand and the low hand.

Next, in step S106, the CPU 41 displays card images showing the highhand and the low hand, which have been determined in step S105, face upto the front display 21.

Next, in step S107, the CPU 41 executes processing of determiningwinning or losing based on the selection information received in stepS104 and on the high hand and the low hand determined in step S105.Specifically, the CPU 41 compares the ranks of the player's high handand the dealer's high hand so as to determine which is higher, andcompares the ranks of the player's low hand and the dealer's low hand soas to determine which is higher; based on these determination results,winning or losing is determined. More specifically, the player wins whenthe player's high hand ranks higher than the dealer's high hand and theplayer's low hand ranks higher than the dealer's low hand. The dealerwins when the dealer's high hand ranks higher than the player's highhand and the dealer's low hand ranks higher than the player's low hand.The game is tied when one of the player's hands ranks higher than thedealer's corresponding hand and the other of the dealer's hands rankshigher than the player's corresponding hand.

Next, in step S108, the CPU 41 transmits information showing winning orlosing determined in step S107 (hereinafter also referred to as“winning/losing information”) to the station 3. In the station 3, whenthe winning/losing information is received, any one of images “Yon won”,“You lost” and “Tie” is displayed to the liquid crystal display 10,based on the winning/losing information.

Next, in step S109, the CPU 41 transmits normal BET payout informationto the station 3. The normal BET payout information is informationshowing an amount of credits (currency value) to be paid out withrespect to the normal BET. Specifically, the CPU 41 transmitsinformation showing credits in amount twice as large as the amount ofthe normal BET when the player wins, and transmits information showingcredits in the same amount as the amount of the normal BET when the gameis tied. Further, when the dealer wins, the CPU 41 transmits informationshowing that the amount of credits to be offered is 0.

The game played during the execution of the processing of steps S101 toS109 corresponds to the normal game in the present invention.

Next, in step S110 in FIG. 1B, the CPU 41 searches the station 3 wherethe side BET has been placed based on the BET information received instep S101, and executes processing of determining the payout card pairin each station 3 where the side BET has been placed.

Specifically, the CPU 41 determines one payout card of the dealer andone payout card of the player out of a deck of playing cards, in eachstation 3 where the side BET has been placed.

It is to be noted that a case is described in the present embodimentwhere the payout card pair is determined so as to be different amongeach station 3 where the side BET has been placed. However in thepresent invention, the specific card pair may be common among aplurality of stations where the side BET has been placed.

Next, in step S111, the CPU 41 transmits payout card pair information asinformation on the payout card pair determined in step S110 to thestation 3 where the side BET has been placed.

Next, in step S112, the CPU 41 receives result information from thestation 3 to which the payout card pair information has been transmittedin step S111. The result information is information showing a result ofdetermination as to whether or not the payout card pair is establishedby the dealer's card and the player's card in the station 3 where theside BET has been placed and showing the number of coins paid out in thecase of establishment of the payout card pair.

Next, in step S113, the CPU 41 executes processing of subtractingcredits corresponding to the number of coins paid out in each stationfrom credits stored in a RAM 42 (see FIG. 8), based on the resultinformation received in step S112. After execution of the processing ofstep S113, the present subroutine is completed.

Next, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment isdescribed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearanceconfiguration of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 1 basically includes a mainmonitor 2 and five stations 3 (stations 3 a to 3 e). It is to be notedthat, although the case of the gaming machine 1 including a plurality of(five) stations 3 in the present embodiment, the gaming machine mayinclude only one station in the present invention.

The front display 21 is provided at the central portion of the mainmonitor 2 to which images showing a dealer and cards are displayed. Thefront display 21 corresponds to the display of the present invention.Above the main monitor 2, there are provided: speakers 22 that outputmusic or an effect sound in accordance with progress of a game beingexecuted on the gaming machine 1; and LEDs 23 lighted at times of avariety of effects.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an appearanceconfiguration of the station in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the later-described liquid crystal display 10 thatdisplays images regarding operations (see FIGS. 5 to 7) and the like isprovided at the center of the upper surface of the station 3. The liquidcrystal display 10 corresponds to the display of the present invention.Further, a touch panel 11 for inputting operations for placing a BET andthe like are provided on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display10. The touch panel 11 corresponds to the input device of the presentinvention.

In front of the liquid crystal display 10 are provided operation buttons12 for performing a payout operation and a coin insertion slot 13 intowhich coins or medals are inserted.

On the upper right end of the front surface of the station 3, there isprovided a bill insertion slot 14 into which a bill is inserted. Belowthe bill insertion slot 14 is provided a coin payout exit 15, from whichcoins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credits are paid out tothe player when the payout operation is performed.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the frontdisplay in the gaming machine.

As shown in FIG. 4, a dealer image 30 that shows a dealer, a table image31 that shows a table, and card images 32 that show seven dealer's cardsare displayed to the front display 21. The card images 32 are displayedface down when the cards are dealt to the dealer. When a high hand and alow hand are determined, the card images 32 are displayed face up. Whenfacing to FIG. 4, the five cards on the left side show the high hand andthe two cards on the right side show the low hand.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are views each showing an example of images displayed tothe liquid crystal display in the station.

FIG. 5 shows an example of images displayed when the player selects ahigh hand and a low hand after the player's cards have been displayed tothe liquid crystal display 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, a high hand display portion 80 that displays thehigh hand of the player and a low hand display portion 81 that displaysthe low hand are provided on the upper side of the liquid crystaldisplay 10. In the high hand display portion 80 and the low hand displayportion 81, card images 82 respectively showing the high-hand cards andthe low-hand cards are displayed face up. A dealt card display portion83 is provided below the high hand display portion 80. In seven portionssurrounded by dotted lines in the dealt card display portion 83, cardimages showing seven player's cards dealt to the player are displayedface up. A high hand determination button 84 and a low handdetermination button 85 for determining cards constituting the high handand the low hand are provided to the right of the dealt card displayportion 83. The player selects cards with which he or she wishes tocreate the high hand out of the cards displayed in the dealt carddisplay portion 83, via the touch panel 11, and operates the high handdetermination button 84 via the touch panel 11, so as to determine thehigh hand. The cards determined as the high hand are displayed in thehigh hand display portion 80. Similarly, the player selects cards withwhich he or she wishes to create the low hand out of the cards displayedin the dealt card display portion 83, via the touch panel 11, andoperates the low hand determination button 85 via the touch panel 11, soas to determine the low hand.

A BET button display portion 86 is provided under the dealt card displayportion 83. BET buttons 87 for inputting the number of BETs is displayedin the BET button display portion 86. The player operates the BETbuttons 87 via the touch panel 11, so as to input the number of normalBETs and the number of side BETs.

To the right of the BET button display portion 86, anumber-of-normal-BETs display portion 88 that displays the number ofnormal-bet coins is provided. FIG. 5 shows that 28 coins have been bet.It is to be noted that in the case of inputting a BET of 28 coins, theplayer may operate the BET button 87 “10” twice, the BET button 87 “5”once, and the BET button 87 “1” three times.

To the right of the number-of-normal-BETs display portion 88, anumber-of-side-BETs display portion 89 that displays the number ofside-bet coins is provided. FIG. 5 shows that 10 coins have been bet.

To the right of the number-of-side-BETs display portion 89, anumber-of-credits display portion 90 is provided. FIG. 5 shows that 500coins have been credited.

FIG. 6 shows an example of images displayed in the station 3 where theside BET has been placed when the payout card pair is determined.

When the normal game is completed, on the liquid crystal display 10 ofthe station 3 where the side BET has been placed, the player's cardsused in the normal game are again displayed face up in the dealt carddisplay portion 83.

Above the dealt card display portion 83, a dealer's card display portion91 for displaying the dealer's cards is provided, where the sevendealer's cards used in the normal game are displayed face up.

Further, below the dealt card display portion 83, a payout reel image 92showing payout reels for determining the payout card pair is displayed.In the payout reel image 92, after scroll-display of a dealer's payoutcard 93 and a player's payout card 94, the determined payout card pairis displayed based on the payout card pair information received from themain control portion 40. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the dealer'spayout card and the player's payout card which constitute the payoutcard pair are, respectively, “3 of Heart” and “2 of Spade”.

FIG. 7 shows an example of images displayed in the case of establishmentof the payout card pair by the player's card and the dealer's card.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the dealt card display portion 83 and thedealer's card display portion 91, images 96 notifying establishment ofthe payout card pair (“2 of Spade” and “3 of Heart”) are displayed insuch a manner as to respectively surround the player's payout card (“2of Spade”) and the dealer's payout card “3 of Heart”).

Further, below the dealt card display portion 83, an image 97 isdisplayed which notifies the payout card pair has been established and50 coins will be paid out.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main control portion 40 in the gaming machine 1has a microcomputer 45 as the core, which basically includes a CPU 41, aRAM 42, a ROM 43, a timer 95, and a bus 44 that is for mutuallytransmitting data thereamong. The main control portion 40 corresponds tothe controller in the present invention.

The ROM 43 stores a variety of programs for performing processingnecessary in controlling the gaming machine 1, a data table, and thelike. The RAM 42 is a memory that temporarily stores a variety of datacalculated in the CPU 41. Moreover, the timer 95 performs timemeasurement.

Furthermore, the CPU 41 is connected, through an I/O interface 46, to animage processing circuit 47, a sound circuit 48, an LED driving circuit49, and a communication interface 50.

The image processing circuit 47 is connected with the front display 21forming the main monitor 2; the sound circuit 48 is connected with thespeakers 22 forming the main monitor 2; and the LED driving circuit 49is connected with the LEDs 23 forming the main monitor 2. Thecommunication interface 50 is connected with five stations 3.

The CPU 41 proceeds with games (Pai Gow Poker and the side game) thatprogress on the gaming machine 1, based on game programs (including gameprograms for Pai Gow Poker and the side game) stored in the ROM 43 andon a variety of signals received from the stations 3. Further, based onthe game programs, the CPU 41 displays an image to the front display 21,outputs a sound from the speakers 22, and lights the LEDs 23. Moreover,the CPU 41 transmits a variety of signals to the respective stations 3based on the game programs.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of thestation in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 9, the station 3 has a microcomputer 55 as the core,which basically includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and a bus 54 thatis for mutually transmitting data thereamong.

The ROM 53 stores a variety of programs for performing processingnecessary in controlling the station 3, a data table, and the like.Further, the RAM 52 temporarily stores the number of credits currentlyaccumulated in the station 3 and a variety of data calculated in the CPU51.

Moreover, the CPU 51 is connected, through an I/O interface 56, to aliquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, a touch panel driving circuit58, a hopper driving circuit 59, a payout completion signal circuit 60,an inserted coin detecting signal circuit 67, a bill detecting signalcircuit 64, an operation signal circuit 66, and a communicationinterface 61.

The liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57 is connected with the liquidcrystal display 10, the touch panel driving circuit 58 is connected withthe touch panel 11, the hopper driving circuit 59 is connected with ahopper 62, the payout completion signal circuit 60 is connected with acoin detecting portion 63, the inserted coin detecting signal circuit 67is connected with an inserted coin detecting portion 68, the billdetecting signal circuit 64 is connected with a bill detecting portion65, and the operation signal circuit 66 is connected with the operationbuttons 12.

The hopper 62 is provided inside the station 3, and pays out coins fromthe coin payout exit 15 based on a control signal outputted from the CPU51.

The coin detecting portion 63 is provided inside the coin payout exit15, and transmits a signal to the CPU 51 when detecting that coins in apredetermined number have been paid out from the coin payout exit 15.

When detecting insertion of coins from the coin insertion slot 13, theinserted coin detecting portion 68 detects the amount of the coins, andtransmits a detecting signal showing the detected amount to the CPU 51.The detected coins are stored in the RAM 52, with a predetermined amountas one credit.

The bill detecting portion 65 detects an amount of a bill when receivingthe bill, and transmits a signal showing the detected amount to the CPU51. The detected bill is stored in the RAM 52, with a predeterminedamount as one credit.

The operation buttons 12 are buttons for performing the payout operationwhen payout of coins is determined.

Next, processing performed in the main control portion 40 and thestation 3 is described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main processing performed in the maincontrol portion and the station.

The following main processing is performed in the main control portion40.

The CPU 41 of the main control portion 40 executes activation processing(step S500). The activation processing performed in step S500 isdescribed later using FIG. 11. After executing the activationprocessing, the CPU 41 executes card game processing (step S501). Thecard game processing executed in step S501 is the processing that hasbeen described using FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

Meanwhile, the following main processing is performed in the station 3.

The CPU 51 of the station 3 executes activation processing (step S600).The activation processing performed in step S600 is described laterusing FIG. 11. After executing the activation processing, the CPU 51executes card game processing (step S601). The card game processingexecuted in step S601 will be described later using FIG. 12A and FIG.12B.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the activation processing.

This activation processing is processing performed in the main controlportion 40 and the station 3, as triggered by power-on (see step S500and step S600 in FIG. 10).

At power-on, first, the CPU 41 of the main control portion 40 executes aBIOS stored in the ROM 43, and expands compressed data incorporated inthe BIOS into the RAM 42 (step S1-1). The CPU 41 then executes the BIOSexpanded into the RAM 42, and diagnoses and initializes a variety ofperipheral devices.

Specifically, the CPU 41 diagnoses and initializes the main monitor 2(step S1-2). In this processing, the CPU 41 transmits a request signalto the main monitor 2 and determines whether or not to have received apredetermined response signal, and conducts clearance of a predeterminedstorage region, and the like.

Next, the CPU 41 diagnoses and initializes the other peripheral devicesconnected to the CPU 41 (step S1-3).

Next, the CPU 41 reads an authentication program stored in the ROM 43,and also performs processing of storing the read authentication programinto the RAM 42 (step S1-4). At this time, the CPU 41 obtains a checksumby ADDSUM system (standard checking function) in accordance with thestandard BIOS function of the BIOS, and stores the authenticationprogram into the RAM 42 while performing processing of checking whetheror not the storage is performed without an error.

Next, the CPU 41 reads the card game program from the ROM 43. In thiscase, the CPU 41 reads data constituting the card game program by fourbytes at a time. Subsequently, the CPU 41 performs authentication forchecking and verifying that the read authentication program is authentic(not broken) in accordance with the authentication program stored in theRAM 42 (step S1-5). When properly completing this authenticationprocessing, the CPU 41 writes and stores the card game program havingbeen an object to be authenticated (having been authenticated) into theRAM 42 (step S1-6).

Meanwhile, the CPU 51 of the station 3 first executes a BIOS stored inthe ROM 53, and expands compressed data incorporated in the BIOS intothe RAM 52 (step S2-1). The CPU 51 then executes the BIOS expanded intothe RAM 52 and diagnoses and initializes a variety of peripheraldevices.

Specifically, the CPU 51 diagnoses and initializes the liquid crystaldisplay 10 (step S2-2). In this processing, the CPU 51 transmits arequest signal to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, anddetermines whether or not to have received a predetermined responsesignal.

Next, the CPU 51 diagnoses and initializes the touch panel (step S2-3).In this processing, the CPU 51 transmits a request signal to the touchpanel 11, and determines whether or not to have received a predeterminedresponse signal.

Next, the CPU 51 diagnoses and initializes the other peripheral devicesconnected to the CPU 51 (step S2-4).

Next, the CPU 51 transmits an initial setting signal to the main controlportion 40 (step S2-5). The initial setting signal is a signal showingcompletion of diagnosis and initialization of the variety of peripheraldevices in the station 3.

After executing the processing of step S2-5, the CPU 51 completes thepresent subroutine.

The CPU 41 of the main control portion 40 receives the initial settingsignal transmitted by the station 3 in step S2-5 (step S1-7).Subsequently, the CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received theinitial setting signals from all the stations 3 (step S1-8).

When determining that the initial setting signal has not been receivedfrom some station 3, the CPU 41 returns the processing to step S1-7. Onthe other hand, when determining that the initial setting signals havebeen received from all the stations 3, the CPU 41 completes the presentsubroutine.

Next, card game processing performed in the gaming machine 1 isdescribed. Since the processing performed in the main control portion 40have already been described using FIG. 1A and FIG. 18, only processingperformed in the station 3 is described here.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are views each showing a subroutine of the cardgame processing executed in the station according to the firstembodiment.

First, a CPU 51 in the station 3 transmits to a main control portion 40a signal indicating that Pai Gow Poker is to be played, upon detectionof contact from the touch panel 11 or receipt of a signal indicatingdetection of coin insertion from the inserted coin detecting portion 68.Thereby, in the main control portion 40, card game processing shown inFIG. 13A and FIG. 13B proceeds.

In step S201 in FIG. 12A, the CPU 51 accepts input of a normal BET and aside BET. This enables the player to input a normal BET and a side BETvia the touch panel 11 in the station 3.

Next, in step S202, the CPU 51 transmits to the main control portion 40BET information as information on the inputted BET. Upon receipt of theBET information, the main control portion 40 determines cards to bedealt to the player and the dealer (see step S102 in FIG. 1A).

Next, in step S203, the CPU 51 receives to-be-dealt cards informationshowing cards to be dealt to the player and the dealer, from the maincontrol portion 40.

Next, in step S204, based on the to-be-dealt cards information receivedin step S203, the CPU 51 displays a card image showing seven player'scards in the dealt card display portion 83 of the liquid crystal display10.

Next, in step S205, the CPU 51 accepts input for selecting a high handand a low hand. This enables the player to operate the high handdetermination button 84 and the low hand determination button 85 via thetouch panel 11 so as to determine a high hand and a low hand out of thedealt cards.

Next, in step S206, the CPU 51 transmits selection information based onselection of the high hand and the low hand, to the main control portion40. Upon receipt of the selection information, the main control portion40 determines a high hand and a low hand of the dealer's card, andexecutes processing of determining winning or losing (step S107 in FIG.1A).

Next, in step S207, the CPU 51 receives winning/losing information fromthe main control portion 40. Subsequently, based on the receivedwinning/losing information, the CPU 51 displays an image showing any oneof “You won”, “You lost”, or “Tie” to the dealt card display portion 83of the liquid crystal display 10 for a predetermined period (10 secondsin the present embodiment).

Next, in step S208, the CPU 51 receives normal BET payout informationfrom the main control portion 40. Upon receipt of the normal BET payoutinformation, the CPU 51 stores credit data based on the normal BETpayout information into the RAM 52.

Next, in step S209, the CPU 51 pays out credits based on the normal BETpayout information received in step S208. Processing of paying outcredits based on the normal BET payout information from the main controlportion 40 corresponds to the processing of offering the normal payoutin the present invention.

Next, in step S210 in FIG. 12B, the CPU 51 determines whether or not theside BET has been inputted during BET acceptance in step S201. Whendetermining that the side BET has not been inputted, the CPU 51completes the present subroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that the side BET has been inputted,the CPU 51 displays in step S211 the dealer's card display portion 91 onthe liquid crystal display 10, and displays seven dealer's cards in thedealer's card display portion 91 based on the dealt card informationreceived in step S203.

Next, in step S212, the CPU 51 receives from the main control portion 40payout card pair information as information on the payout card pair.

Next, in step S213, the CPU 51 displays the payout reel image 92 to theliquid crystal display 10 (see FIG. 6).

Next, in step S214, the CPU 51 controls scroll-display of the payoutreels shown by the payout reel image 92 based on the payout card pairinformation received in step S212. Specifically, after scroll-display ofthe dealer's payout card 93 and the player's payout card 94, thedetermined payout card pair is displayed based on the payout card pairinformation received from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S215, the CPU 51 performs result determination.Specifically, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the payout card pairis established by the dealer's card and the player's card based on thepayout card pair information received in step S212.

Next, in step S216, the CPU 51 executes the effect of notifying theplayer of the result (see FIG. 7), and pays out coins in the case ofestablishment of the payout card pair.

Next, in step S217, the CPU 51 transmits result information to the maincontrol portion 40.

After execution of the processing of step S217, the present subroutineis completed.

The gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment comprises thefront display 21 and the liquid crystal display 10 (display) capable ofdisplaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (input device); andthe main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion 40 isprogrammed so as to execute the processing of (a) accepting a normal BETfrom the touch panel 11, (b) accepting a side BET different from thenormal BET, from the touch panel 11, (c) displaying a player's card anda dealer's card respectively to the liquid crystal display 10 and thefront display 21, (d) executing a normal game for determining winning orlosing based on the player's card and the dealer's card, (e) offering anormal payout based on the normal BET when determining that a player haswon in the normal game, (f) determining whether or not a specific cardpair is established by the player's card and the dealer's card, when theside BET has been placed, and (g) offering a special payout whendetermining in the processing (f) that the specific card pair isestablished.

According to the gaming machine 1, since a side game (game forestablishing the specific card pair) is played using the player's cardand the dealer's card which were dealt in a normal game, a playerinterested in the normal game tends not to have a sense of resistancetoward placing the side BET. Further, since a new gaming property ofestablishing the specific card pair is added, an interesting aspect ofthe game itself can be further enhanced.

Moreover, since the special payout is offered in the case ofestablishment of the specific card pair in the side game, there is apossibility that the player acquires a payout in a large amount.

Accordingly, it is possible to make the player have a high motivation toplace the side BET.

In the present embodiment, the special payout (a predetermined number ofcoins) is offered when the side BET has been placed and the specificcard pair is established by the player's card and the dealer's card.However, in the present invention, a bonus game may be generated insteadof the special payout being offered.

The bonus game is not particularly limited so long as it is a gameadvantageous for the player as compared with the normal game (e.g. agame that can be played without insertion of additional game media, or agame in which a payout in a large amount is offered with a highprobability).

Further, in the present embodiment, the case of determining the specificcard pair in each game has been described. However, in the presentinvention, the specific card pair may be previously set.

Second Embodiment

Next, a gaming machine according to a second embodiment is described. Itis to be noted that constituents corresponding to those of the gamingmachine 1 according to the first embodiment are described as providedwith the same symbols.

In the second embodiment, when the side BET is placed in any of thestations 3, a display mode of the dealer's card and the player's cardchanges. Specifically, the colors of the cards change. When any of thedealer's cards and any of the player's cards change to gold, the bonusgame is executed in the station 3.

The gaming machine according to the second embodiment has an appearance,circuit configuration, and the like, which are similar to those of thegaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, thedescriptions thereof are omitted here. In the following, imagesdisplayed to the front display 21 and the liquid crystal display 10, andcard game processing executed in the main control portion 40 and in thestation 3 are described.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of images displayed to the frontdisplay when the side BET has been placed in any station.

As shown in FIG. 13, the dealer image 30 that shows a dealer, the tableimage 31 that shows a table, the card images 32 and a card image 100that show the dealer's cards, are displayed to the front display 21. Thecard image 100 shows a dealer's card the color of which has changed togold.

The main control portion 40 determines in each game which dealer's cardto be changed in color when the side BET is placed in any station 3.Further, there are various change modes of the color of the card, andfor example, such an effect is performed that the color once starts tochange and then turns back.

FIGS. 14 to 17 are views each showing an example of images displayed tothe liquid crystal display provided in the station where the side BEThas been placed in the second embodiment.

When the side BET is placed, any of the player's cards starts to changein color. As shown in FIG. 14, the color of the upper half of theplayer's card shown in a card image 101 has changed to gold.

Then, although there is a case where the gold color disappears and thecolor turns back, there is also a case where the color of the entirecard changes to gold as shown in FIG. 15. The main control portion 40determines in each game such a change mode of the color of the player'scard.

When any of the dealer's cards and any of the player's cards completelychange to gold, the effect for notifying that the bonus game will beplayed is performed as shown in FIG. 16. While an image 102 indicating achange in color of the card to gold is displayed in such a manner as tosurround the card image 101 showing the player's card having changed togold, an image 103 notifying that the bonus game will be executed isdisplayed below the dealt card display portion 83.

In the bonus game, images as shown in FIG. 17 are displayed.

Namely, to the upper side of the liquid crystal display 10, an image 104showing that the bonus game is in execution is displayed, andtherebelow, an image 105 showing payout reels for determining a payoutin the bonus game is displayed. In the bonus game, after scroll of thepayout reels for a predetermined period, an image showing the payout inthe bonus game (100 coins in FIG. 17) is displayed.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are flowcharts showing card game processing executedin the main control portion provided in the gaming machine according tothe second embodiment.

Since processing of steps S301 to S309 in FIG. 18A are similar to theprocessing of steps S101 to S109 in FIG. 1A in the first embodiment, thedescriptions thereof are omitted here.

In step S310 in FIG. 18, the CPU 41 determines whether or not thestation 3 where the side BET has been placed is present based on BETinformation received from the stations 3. When determining that thestation 3 where the side BET has been placed is not present, the CPU 41completes the present subroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that the station 3 where the sideBET has been placed is present, the CPU 41 determines in step S311 thedisplay mode of the dealer's cards being displayed to the front display21 and of the player's cards being displayed to the liquid crystaldisplay 10 in the station 3. Specifically, the CPU 41 determines whetheror not to change the color of the dealer's card and/or the player'scard, and in the case of changing the color, the CPU 41 determines whichcard to be changed in color and in what mode the color of the card ischanged.

Next, in step S312, the CPU 41 transmits, to the station 3 where theside BET has been placed, information on the display mode determined instep S311 and display mode information showing effect pattern data forrealizing the display mode. A plurality of types of the effect patterndata are stored in the RAM 42.

In the station 3 having received the display mode information,processing of changing the display mode of the player's cards isexecuted based on the display mode information.

Next, in step S313, the CPU 41 changes the display mode of the dealer'scards displayed to the front display 21 based on the determinationresult in step S311 (see FIG. 13).

Next, in step S314, the CPU 41 receives result information from thestation 3 where the side BET has been placed. The result information isinformation showing the number of coins paid out in the bonus game.

Next, in step S315, the CPU 41 executes processing of subtractingcredits corresponding to the number of coins paid out in the bonus gamefrom the credits stored in the RAM 42 based on the result informationreceived in step S314.

After execution of the processing of step S315, the present subroutineis completed.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are flowcharts each showing a subroutine of the cardgame processing executed in the station according to the secondembodiment.

Since processing of steps S401 to S409 in FIG. 19A are similar to theprocessing of steps S201 to S209 in FIG. 12A in the first embodiment,the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In step S410 in FIG. 19B, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the sideBET has been inputted during BET acceptance. When determining that theside BET has not been inputted, the CPU 51 completes the presentsubroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that the side BET has been inputted,the CPU 51 receives in step S411 display mode information from the maincontrol section 40.

Next, in step S412, the CPU 51 changes the display mode of the player'scard on the liquid crystal display 10 based on the display modeinformation received in step S411 (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

Next, in step S413, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the bonus gamehas been generated. Namely, the CPU 51 determines whether or not thedisplay mode information received in step S411 shows the change in colorof any of the dealer's cards and any of the player's cards to gold.

Next, the CPU 51 displays the payout reels for the bonus game to theliquid crystal display 10 (step S414), determines a result (the numberof coins to be paid out) in the bonus game by means of a random number(step S415), and controls the scroll of the payout reels such that animage showing the determined number of coins is displayed (step S416).

Next, in step S417, the CPU 51 performs the effect of notifying theresult of the bonus game, and pays out the determined number of coins.

Next, in step S418, the CPU 51 transmits result information showing theresult of the bonus game to the main control portion 40.

After executing the processing of step S418, the CPU 51 completes thepresent subroutine.

As above described, the gaming machine 1 according to the secondembodiment comprises the front display 21 and the liquid crystal display10 (display) capable of displaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel(input device); the RAM 42 (memory) for storing effect pattern data tobe used in an effect; and the main control portion 40 (controller). Themain control portion is programmed so as to execute the processing of(a) accepting a normal BET from the touch panel 11, (b) accepting a sideBET different from the normal BET, from the touch panel 11, (c)displaying a player's card and a dealer's card respectively to theliquid crystal display 10 and the front display 21, (d) executing anormal game for determining winning or losing based on the player's cardand the dealer's card, (e) offering a normal payout based on the normalBET when determining that a player has won in the normal game, (f)changing a display mode of the player's card and the dealer's card onthe display based on the effect pattern data stored in the RAM 42, whenthe side BET has been placed, and (g) executing a bonus gameadvantageous for the player as compared with the normal game, when theplayer's card and the dealer's card are displayed in a specific mode asa result of executing the processing (f).

According to the gaming machine 1, since a side game (game in which thedisplay mode of the player's card and the dealer's card is changed) isplayed using the player's card and the dealer's card which were dealt ina normal game, a player interested in the normal game tends not to havea sense of resistance toward placing the side BET. Further, since a newgaming property of changing the display mode of the player's card andthe dealer's card is added, an interesting aspect of the game itself canbe further enhanced.

Moreover, since the special payout is offered in the case that theplayer's card and the dealer's card are displayed in the specific modein the side game, there is a possibility that the player acquires apayout in a large amount. On the other hand, when an advantageous bonusgame is to be executed in the case that the player's card and thedealer's card are displayed in the specific mode in the side game, it ispossible to increase a sense of anticipation of the player by providinga gaming state advantageous for the player, in addition to addinganother gaming property.

Consequently, it is possible to make the player have a high motivationto place the side BET.

In the present embodiment, the bonus game is played when the player'scard and the dealer's card are displayed in the specific mode. However,in the present invention, game media such as coins and the like may bepaid out instead of the play of the bonus game.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described wherethe specific mode in the present invention is the state where the colorof the card changes to the specific color (gold). However, the specificmode of the present invention is not limited to this example. Forexample, it may be a state where an image notifying that the specialpayout will be offered is displayed on the card.

In the first and second embodiments, the case of playing Pai Gow Pokeras the normal game has been described. However, in the presentinvention, the game is not particularly limited so long as it is a gamedetermining winning or losing by using player's cards and dealer'scards, e.g. by comparing a hand of player's cards with a hand ofdealer's cards.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case of using playingcards has been described. However, the cards (player's cards anddealer's cards) in the present invention are not limited to playingcards, and for example, tarot cards may be used.

Moreover, in the first and second embodiments, the case has beendescribed where the player plays Pai Gow Poker while visually checkingthe main monitor 2 and the liquid crystal display 10 that is provided inthe station. However, the gaming machine in the present invention may beequipped with either a main monitor or a liquid crystal display (displayprovided in the station). In the case of such a configuration, dealer'scards and player's cards may be displayed to the main monitor or thedisplay in the station.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toembodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate specificexamples, not restrict the present invention. The specific structures ofrespective means and the like can be designed and changed as required.Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects ofthe present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in theembodiments of the present invention. The effects of the presentinvention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of thepresent invention.

Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristicportions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding thepresent invention. The present invention is not limited to theembodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, butcan be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range ofapplications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the presentspecification have been used for clearly describing the presentinvention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention.Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures,systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of thepresent invention, from the concept of the present invention describedin the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claimsis intended to include equivalent structures that fall within thetechnical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enablingengineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but arenot familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent,law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technicalcontent and the essence of the present application through briefstudies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scopeof the invention which should be evaluated from the description of theclaims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have beenalready disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order tosufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and thespecific effects of the present invention.

In the aforementioned detailed description, there has been describedprocessing to be executed by computers. The aforementioned descriptionand expressions have been described for the sake of enabling thoseskilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively.In the present specification, each step for deriving a single resultshould be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, eachstep includes transmission, reception, recording and the like ofelectric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step,such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters,terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that theyhave been merely used for convenience of description. Further, althoughthe processing at each step was described using expressions common tohuman behaviors in some cases, the processes described in the presentspecification are to be executed by various types of devices, inprinciple. Further, other structures required for conducting each stepwill be apparent from the aforementioned description.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying aplurality of cards; an input device; and a controller, said controllerprogrammed so as to execute the processing of (a) accepting a normal BETfrom said input device, (b) accepting a side BET different from saidnormal BET, from said input device, (c) displaying a player's card and adealer's card to said display, (d) executing a normal game fordetermining winning or losing based on said player's card and saiddealer's card, (e) offering a normal payout based on said normal BETwhen determining that a player has won in said normal game, (f)determining whether or not a specific card pair is established by saidplayer's card and said dealer's card, when said side BET has beenplaced, and (g) offering a special payout or executing a bonus gameadvantageous for the player as compared with said normal game, whendetermining in said processing (f) that the specific card pair isestablished.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein saidcontroller is further programmed so as to execute processing of (h)determining said specific card pair, and said processing (f) isprocessing of determining whether or not the specific card pairdetermined in said processing (h) is established by said player's cardand said dealer's card when said side BET has been placed.
 3. A gamingmachine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality ofcards; an input device; a memory for storing effect pattern data to beused in an effect; and a controller, said controller programmed so as toexecute the processing of (a) accepting a normal BET from said inputdevice, (b) accepting a side BET different from said normal BET, fromsaid input device, (c) displaying a player's card and a dealer's card tosaid display, (d) executing a normal game for determining winning orlosing based on said player's card and said dealer's card, (e) offeringa normal payout based on said normal BET when determining that a playerhas won in said normal game, (f) changing a display mode of saidplayer's card and said dealer's card on said display based on the effectpattern data stored in said memory, when said side BET has been placed,and (g) offering a special payout or executing a bonus game advantageousfor the player as compared with said normal game, when said player'scard and said dealer's card are displayed in a specific mode as a resultof executing said processing (f).
 4. The gaming machine according toclaim 3, wherein said processing (g) is processing of offering a specialpayout or executing a bonus game advantageous for the player as comparedwith said normal game, when a specific image is displayed on saidplayer's card and said dealer's card or when a color of said player'scard and said dealer's card turn a specific color, as a result ofexecuting said processing (f).
 5. A playing method of a card game, saidplaying method comprising steps of: (a) placing a normal BET; (b)placing a side BET different from said normal BET; (c) dealing a card toa player as a player's card, while dealing a card to a dealer as adealer's card; (d) executing a normal game for determining winning orlosing based on said player's card and said dealer's card; (e) offeringa normal payout based on said normal BET when determining that a playerhas won in said normal game; (f) determining whether or not a specificcard pair is established by said player's card and said dealer's card,when said side BET has been placed; and (g) offering a special payout orexecuting a bonus game advantageous for the player as compared with saidnormal game, when determining in said step (f) that the specific cardpair is established.
 6. The playing method of the card game according toclaim 5, said playing method further including a step of (h) determiningsaid specific card pair, and said step (f) is a step of determiningwhether or not the specific card pair determined in said step (h) isestablished by said player's card and said dealer's card, when said sideBET has been placed.